MPCA NEWS

Registration Open for 2015 MPCA Legislative Forum

Online registration is now open for the 2015 MPCA Legislative Forum (#MPCALF15) taking place March 4 in Lansing. This annual event is an opportunity for Michigan Health Center staff and board members to learn about the current state policy and legislative environment as it pertains to health care, and to build and nurture relationships with State Legislators. It is also an opportunity to talk one-on-one with State Legislators and their staff about MPCA's policy priorities for the year. Several pre-Forum activities will be taking place on March 3 at the Radisson Lansing at the Capitol, including a Health Center Board Member Committee meeting and training at 2-3 pm. Click here for more information and to register today. Please note the deadline to reserve a room at the Radisson is February 16. Watch for more information coming soon about the agenda and a pre-conference call, during which registered attendees will learn details about MPCA’s 2015 policy priorities.

Changes to MPCA's Outreach & Enrollment Network Communications

With the start of 2015, MPCA's Outreach & Enrollment (O/E) Network transitioned from a group listserv to the online O/E Network Peer Communication Group. O/E Network members can use the online group to share ideas and guidance, connect with peers, and find FAQs. Features in the online group include forum discussions, blog posts, and a group directory. In addition to the online group, O/E lead staff has been added to the new O/E Leads Listserv. O/E leads can use the Leads Listserv to communicate with other managers and staff providing oversight to O/E programs. If you know of other staff members at your Health Centers that should be added to this listserv or if you have questions, please email Julie Tatko at jtatko@mpca.net or Lydia Starrs at lstarrs@mpca.net.

Please note that you must be logged in to MPCA’s online community when registering for MPCA-hosted events to receive a discounted rate if your organization is an MPCA member. If you are subscribed to the MPCA eUpdate, you have a profile in MPCA's online community. If you have forgotten your password, please use the "forgot password" link under the sign-in box to reset your password. If you need further assistance, please contact info@mpca.net.

MPCA posts job openings at Michigan Health Center Program grantees, Michigan FQHC Look-Alikes, and MPCA active member organizations. To submit a job opening for posting in the online MPCA Career Center and in the MPCA eUpdate, email the job title, a brief overview, a bulleted list of qualifications, and instructions on how to apply to info@mpca.net with Job Posting in the subject field.

Preliminary information on the Michigan Medicaid Managed Care Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on January 6. This announcement will help potential bidders make preparations to be able to respond to the RFP once released. One significant modification is that the new bid will require the use of Michigan’s Prosperity Regions. Additionally, Regions 2 and 3 of northern lower Michigan must be bid together, which has been considered a significant improvement by many provider advocates in the two regions. It was also announced that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), called MIChild, will be converted to a Medicaid expansion group rather than a stand-alone CHIP program. The impact of this conversion on FQHC payment is not yet known. Read more

Michigan Issues 2014 Home Visiting Initiative Report

The Michigan Departments of Community Health, Education, and Human Services have submitted to the Michigan Legislature the 2014 Home Visiting Initiative Report, as required by Public Act 291 of 2012. This report includes a set of indicators and measures to communicate the outcomes achieved by the five most commonly implemented evidence-based home visiting models in Michigan, as well as promising programs. (Source: Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health)

2015 Governor's Service Awards Nominations Being Accepted

The Michigan Community Service Commission is accepting nominations for the 2015 Governor's Service Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals, organizations, and businesses who are committed to service and volunteerism in their communities. Five finalists, including the award winner, in each of the eight categories will be recognized during the Governor's Service Awards celebration held this summer. Nominations must be postmarked or electronically submitted by February 27. Read more and access the nomination form

The deadline for Health Center Program grantees and Look-Alikes to submit Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting is February 15, 2015. Click here for technical assistance resources provided by the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Meanwhile, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has released proposed UDS changes for CY 2015 reporting via Program Assistance Letter 2015-01. Health Center Program grantees and Look-Alikes will be reporting 2015 UDS data in early 2016. HRSA has proposed changes to UDS Tables 4, 6B, and 7 and is accepting comments on these proposed changes so they may be considered during the public comment review process. Comments may be submitted to OQDComments@hrsa.gov.

CMS Extends Deadline to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the deadline to volunteer for ICD-10 end-to-end testing to January 21. Approximately 850 volunteer submitters will be selected to participate with Medicare Administrative Contractors and the Common Electronic Data Interchange contractor April 26 through May 1. Read more

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Health Center Program. The National Association of Community Health Centers will kick off a year-long celebration of this historic milestone at the 2015 Policy & Issues Forum, March 18-22 in Washington, DC. Discussions during the conference will also focus on the new 114th Congress and its health policy agenda; implications of the legal challenge over the Affordable Care Act's federal subsidies; challenges for the Health Center funding; and much more. Earlybird registration savings are available until February 18.

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in King v. Burwell, the case which questions the Affordable Care Act's payment of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to people in states with federally facilitated Marketplaces, such as Michigan. If the Supreme Court decides these subsidies must stop, many consumers will be unable to purchase coverage and therefore lose access to care. The Urban Institute has estimated this would increase the number of uninsured by 8.2 million people and eliminate $28.8 billion in tax credits and cost-sharing reductions in 2016 for 9.3 million people. MPCA is currently collecting consumer stories illustrating how Michiganders who have received tax credits to purchase individual or family coverage through Michigan's marketplace will be harmed should they lose financial assistance. If you have a consumer story to share, please obtain permission from the consumer to share their name and story and then email them to enroll@mpca.net by Tuesday January 20, 2015. MPCA will be sharing these submissions with NACHC, Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, and other partners for consideration by attorneys filing amicus briefs in the case and other advocacy

NACHC Accepting 2015 Migrant Health Awards Nominations

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is accepting nominations until February 20 of Migrant Health Centers, Migrant Health Center board members and staff, and public officials whose individual accomplishments best exemplify excellence in migrant health care and contributions to the Health Center mission. The 2015 Migrant Health Awards will be presented during the 2015 National Farmworker Health Conference, May 5-7, 2015, in San Antonio, TX. Click here to access the nomination forms.

Capital Link Conducting Health Center Capital Needs Assessment

Capital Link will be sending an online questionnaire to Health Centers nationwide by January 15, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. This assessment is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The information collected by past assessments has been instrumental in educating capital funding sources and policy makers regarding the tremendous need for capital to expand Health Center operations. The results are also crucial for developing new capital financing programs and technical assistance services. MPCA encourages all Michigan Health Centers to complete the questionnaire.

Dental Summer Enrichment Program Opportunity for College Students & Graduates

The six-week Summer Enrichment Program (May 18-June 26) offered through the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry provides educational and practical experiences to assist individuals toward enrollment and graduation from dental school, targeting educationally and/or economically disadvantaged applicants. The online application deadline is February 15.

The MPCA eUpdate is a weekly e-newsletter intended to keep Michigan Health Centers, MPCA members, partners, and friends updated on the latest happenings impacting Health Centers and providing care to the underserved. Please feel free to forward this to interested individuals, or they may request to be added to the distribution list. Information from outside organizations does not represent an endorsement by MPCA, and opinions expressed by outside authors are not necessarily official positions or policies of MPCA. This project is 80% supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the $1,186,260.00 grant number U58CS06824 titled “State and Regional Primary Care Associations”. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.